Sibilance: What Causes Harsh S Sounds and Can I De-Ess Them?

Sibilance: that harsh 's' sound that you hear when listening to music or audio. What causes it? Are there steps you can take to reduce it when you're listening to music?
00:00 Sibilance
00:58 Ferrofluid Tweeters
02:24 It could be the recording
03:37 Try these things: Check Receiver Settings
05:40 Tru Toe-Out
06:20 Play with balance
Axiom Engineer Andrew Welker walks us through the common culprits and some action items to try in your set up if you're finding your speakers sibilant.
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[@markwilson0077]

This video is quite timely for me, as I just got a new DAC today and was trying it out. I changed nothing else in the signal chain, except the DAC & got this harshness...was pretty much settled that it was not for me..but then this video reminded me of all these variables. So, I'll hook up back the new DAC, check some settings, adjust the speaker setup etc. And see where I land. Enjoy the journey, don't forget the beauty of the setup & the challenge of gear setup & placement to make it all sync. Thanks for the reminder!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

You’re very welcome! One thing to keep in mind is that the gain of the new DAC might be higher than your old one, so if you are setting the volume level based on where it was using the old DAC you might be listening at a louder level which can cause fatigue or make any harshness in the recording more prominent. Thanks for taking the time to comment as well as for watching.

[@pkats9093]

Good video. But I find it ironic that the audio on this video was extremely sibilant. Was that on purpose? LOL

[@mihai331]

I came here to write exactly this. Thank you! :))

[@ratikanto]

@@mihai331 me as well

[@brambl3014]

goddamn right

[@janus9148]

right lmaoo

[@TheHouseOfBean]

It's painful to listen to. I kept expecting the audio to go back to normal during the explanation.

[@goldeegoldfish]

*makes a video about harsh s sounds* *Still has sharp s sounds in audio*

[@YoYo-uh3xj]

My ears! Sssssssss

[@Weiser878]

I find it ironic a video on sibilance is the most horrifically sibilant thing I’ve listened to in ages. It’s also weak and distant. For an engineering channel you’d think you’d use better recording equipment. This sounds like it was recorded on a laptop built-in mic

[@user-hh9dl6kg4w]

Yes..I sometimes find that with classical music you sometimes get an over-brightness when listening to old recordings. Just something you have to accept I suppose !!

[@bobbaretta]

Recording has a lot to do, metallic sound out of tweeters from new bookshelves speakers 🔊, almost blamed my Yamaha receiver for messing up 🔝 the harsh sound. Great helpful video!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Thanks for taking the time to share your comments, much appreciated, and glad you found the video helpful 👍

[@olavhausken8684]

Thank you for a great video.I have sibilance troubles, but not with most blues albums. I Wonder why

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Strange…it should be either setup or recording related, not music type related!

[@damianhaber4890]

It's mainly due to over-equalization, treble set to 7 or 8/10. I learnt from car audio in the nineties, keep treble and bass close to zero!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Exactly…and I mentioned this is in the video. One of the first things to check is to see where any tone or EQ settings are set and to try turning off any system auto-EQ that might be engaged. Thanks for a great comment, and for watching.

[@gtric1466]

Moving my speakers around i found a spot that's giving be a little reverb. i kind of like the way it sounds and really energizes the room. is this a bad thing? my room is not bright.

[@Samitocas]

Thank you very much for your video well done. Now i have this problem on my Mirage M 3 si speakers that i love very much, now beside the Ferrofluid that may dry little because of the oldness of this speakers, there is another variable that you did not cover in your video and it is related to the capacitors in the cressover that also may dry and causing this problem ??? do you think that it is valid ?

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

The most likely issue would be either ferrofluid or surround disintegration on the midranges. Electrolytic capacitors can certainly go bad over time, but they would be last on my list.

[@Samitocas]

@@AxiomHomeTheaters Thank you Andrew for your reply. The surround midrange is in good shape, so i still have 2 parameters that i should verify either the Ferrofluid or the Capacitors of the Tweeters.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@Samitocas good luck, keep me posted on how it goes.

[@Slickman2006]

Do you think your QS8/QS10 would blend well with Triangle Comete EZ and Voce EZ fronts? The Triangles use titaniun drivers as well so I would think so.

[@caesarc.4079]

The QS10 is an awesome surround speaker with high dynamics and deep bass. I have the SVS ULTRA’s, and currently I’m running the QS10 for surround and the QS8 for back surround. To my surprise they blend great with the rest of the system,.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

It’s hard for me to say, as I have never heard the Triangles, but for adding surrounds to your systems I would think they would work. Thanks for your question, and for watching.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@caesarc.4079 Thanks for sharing your enjoyment of the QSs. It's always great to hear customer feedback! Thanks for watching too.

[@marty3888]

I think my worry is almost gone now.I do hate that. So far, i think it's one track, "morning has broken," by Cat Stephens. I've heard it could also be a damaged record and I did buy that album at a used record store. I recently got a new cartridge and that is the first time I've heard it that bad.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

If it did not sound as sibilant with your old cartridge I would certainly double check your alignment and adjustments of the new one. You’re correct that it also might be your copy of the LP.

[@buddywalker8855]

Andrew, Listen to some early Alison Krauss vinyl and you’ll know exactly what sibilance sounds like. Thx for the video.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

I know exactly what you mean. But with LPs you need to be very careful to make sure your cartridge setup is absolutely bang on. I’ve had sibilant records which have become almost perfect after changing to a better cartridge, or trying to dial one in a few more times to get the setup just right.

[@buddywalker8855]

@@AxiomHomeTheaters Yes, I agree with that. I’ve recently broke in a new Rega P6 w/Ania Pro and after approx 50 hrs now, it’s really showing it’s true colors. I have most of AKUS vinyl released on Rounder Records and her very early records in combination with her angelic soprano at times distracts me with the constant ssssssssss sounds at the end of her verses. Just sayin’. Thanks for your videos, they are great!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@buddywalker8855 I feel that maybe her voice is not mic’d the best on her recordings. The live album with Union Station can be very sibilant at times.

[@buddywalker8855]

@@AxiomHomeTheaters Agreed Andrew. Still love their music, loving my new cart too, sounds great. It’s fun discovering more depth in older LP’s that I thought I knew fairly well. Keep your videos coming, your knowledge and presentations are very beneficial.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@buddywalker8855 that's always a great feeling when a change to the system is such a great upgrade. Thank you, glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@nathaneldogo]

Klipsh speakers 😄

[@duff0120]

i cant even listen to some songs on vinyl, because of that s sound. for instance, Oasis-wonderwall. impossbile

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Some recordings are very sibilant, I get it.

[@gregwoolley]

Very poor audio quality in this video.

[@whocares3132]

I am sorry but your voice is really harsh to my ear. So its my speakers problem

[@TheHouseOfBean]

It's painful!

[@init4fun]

Say it with us. AH-BOUT, not "aboot." Such an off-putting distortion of the English language.😆